‘Significant tragedy’

Authorities said names and ages of the victims would not be disclosed until next of kin had been notified.

However, Mr Dawson said they were believed to have lived at the property.

“The loss of any life is tragic, but four children and three adults – this is a significant tragedy,” he said.

Authorities were called to the scene at 05:15 local time (21:15 GMT on Thursday) after receiving a call from a “male person”, Mr Dawson said.

The commissioner did not give details of the call, but said it had been recorded.

He said specialist police officers from Perth would oversee a large-scale investigation.

Local ‘shockwaves’

Osmington is a tiny rural community about 20km from Margaret River, a popular tourist and wine-growing area.

One neighbour, Felicity Haynes, described the residents of the property as “lovely people”.

“They were a very socially-aware family – doing their best to create a safe community – and that is why it is so shocking to think that could be destroyed so quickly,” she told the Australian Broadcasting Corp.